novel-bin 52,500 mu
52,500 mu
"Come on, try this bowl of chicken soup I made."
In the small courtyard, the stove was lit, pots were cooked, chicken was scalded and soup was made, along with a few stir-fries, as Ren Qingshan warmly entertained his patron.
On the way, Ren Qingshan repeated what he had told his disciples that day to Lu Qingyi, and then basked in the girl's admiring gaze with a clear conscience... Well, in this world, inspirational stories haven't been stigmatized yet.
Based on my experience, if packaged properly, I could easily become a motivational master of success, possessing an information gap that would be enough to energize any of my followers.
Lu Qingyi took a small sip, and her eyes immediately showed enjoyment. It was truly delicious. Even the best restaurant in the prefecture could not make it taste like this.
She tried another bite of the poached chicken and was amazed.
Stir-fried lamb with scallions makes me even happier.
Even a simple plate of bok choy is considered a delicacy.
Before I knew it, I had finished all three bowls of rice.
"Is the land deed ready?"
Satisfied, Lu Qingyi put down her chopsticks. The sunset had faded completely, and twilight was just beginning to break. She saw Ren Qingshan smiling at her.
"It should be all settled by now. This morning, Steward Li went to take care of the matter, and Mother ordered him to collect all the land deeds tonight."
Ren Qingshan then stood up: "Let's go. To your house."
Five hundred earth forces—just thinking about it is truly exciting.
Although Lu Qingyi felt that he was a bit impatient, she knew his personality after knowing him for so long. He was decisive in important matters, so she got up and went out with him.
……
The intersection outside the alley.
After Ren Qingshan went out, he saw Ren Yaohui squatting there, holding a large bowl of mixed noodles in his hands. He had bought it from a roadside shop and was eating it with relish.
The uncle and nephew exchanged glances.
Ren Yaohui immediately moved away, lowered his head, and focused on eating his noodles.
This kid...
Ren Qingshan chuckled to himself.
I guess I heard voices in the yard when I got home, so I didn't go inside and just came out to eat.
sensible.
……
"Lord Ren, all five hundred land deeds have been collected, along with the transfer documents and the list of each plot... You just need to affix your seal and sign your name on the deeds."
"According to the rules, a sale does not break a lease, and the tenant farmer remains unchanged. However, all my servants have been informed that the rent from this year's autumn harvest will be paid to the Ren family."
There were three thick stacks of paper on the table, and Jin Xiulan's eyes looked slightly tired.
This was no simple matter. Her subordinates worked themselves to the bone, and she also devoted herself to perfecting the work, leaving no room for error.
"Mrs. Lu, you've worked hard."
Ren Qingshan stood up and clasped his hands in greeting. Fortunately, the Lu family had many members. If there weren't enough people, it would have taken him at least ten days to half a month to do these trivial matters himself.
After exchanging a few polite words, Ren Qingshan checked all the documents, signed and stamped them one by one, and was already planning to leave the city that very night to convert the soil.
"Lord Ren, there is something I am unaware of. Should I speak of it?"
Seeing the harmonious atmosphere and Ren Qingshan's good mood, Jin Xiulan smiled slightly and spoke.
"Please feel free to speak."
"With so much grain harvested, we'll need at least two warehouses by autumn. Collecting rent will also require a lot of manpower. Now that you've achieved success in martial arts, Lord Ren, have you considered taking on apprentices?"
This lady is truly a business expert.
She clearly wanted a member of the Lu family to become her disciple, but she made it sound like she was thinking of herself.
However, this is indeed a problem.
Adding to the previous 245 mu, it's a total of 745 mu. Even if we collect rent at 30 jin per mu, it's still more than 20,000 jin of grain.
As the business grows, it's impossible to do everything personally.
Apprentices often do these kinds of things.
"I don't accept female apprentices, but other positions can be considered on a case-by-case basis. First and foremost, they must have a clean background and impeccable character. If you are interested, Madam, you might as well select a few members of the Lu clan, and I will examine them."
Ren Qingshan pondered for a moment, then responded with a smile.
Don't let your daughter become my apprentice, then everything will be fine.
This lady is cunning.
Jin Xiulan was slightly taken aback upon hearing this. When she came to her senses, her heart skipped a beat.
broken!
Could it be that this person has feelings for Qingqing?
Looking at Lu Qingyi beside her again, Jin Xiulan saw a hint of relief in her daughter's eyes, which made her feel even colder.
He's thirty-five!
And he's already married!
Although wealthy families in the Great Zhou Dynasty often had the custom of having one principal wife, two secondary wives, and many concubines, and my own husband was like that, the imperial law only recognized the principal wife. Even if a secondary wife had a powerful family background, she was often regarded as a concubine by others and was not considered respectable. If she gave birth to a child, the child would not be considered a legitimate son but a son born out of wedlock.
As for concubines, they were even more akin to slaves; they could be bought and sold, and were not allowed to enter the ancestral temple.
"If Lord Ren is willing, I will have someone consider and handle this matter. My Lu family has several young and honest descendants. If there are other outstanding farm boys, we will keep an eye on them for you."
Jin Xiulan felt a myriad of emotions surging within her, but her face remained impassive.
"Of course, of course, thank you for your hard work, madam."
Ren Qingshan, of course, had no idea what she was thinking. He smiled and thanked her, chatted about some random things, and then took the land deed and drifted away.
……
Night had fallen.
When Ren Qingshan tried to leave the city, the outer city gates were already closed, the city was heavily guarded, and patrols were stationed all around the city walls.
This defense is far more robust than that of a fortified village.
Although one could leap out, one would certainly be discovered.
After informing the guards, Ren Qingshan took out the offering plaque of Wude Temple and said that there was an emergency at his home in the countryside, which allowed him to leave the city.
In short, the city's tight security was not a bad thing; if he couldn't get out, the bandits couldn't get in either.
Having a certain status now gives you some face wherever you go.
We left the city.
Using my leg skills to hurry along the way, I arrived at the plot of land I had purchased. In the night breeze, my feet trod on the broad, soft earth, and the green hills fluttered in the wind, filling me with joy.
[Currently owned land: 745 mu]
[Convertible soil fertility: 500]
This time they've truly struck it rich.
Five hundred taels of silver felt insignificant in one's pocket, but five hundred strands of earth energy seemed like a thunderclap from a clear sky, suddenly making one rich.
We've never fought a battle this well-funded before!
Transform!
Ren Qingshan immediately began the transformation, focusing first on Qi and blood.
Blood is the source of Qi. The more abundant the blood and Qi, the more favorable the true Qi will be.
I wonder if I can advance to the Jade Marrow level tonight?
Huaiyin County has only six jade marrows. If they can advance to the next level tonight, they will become one of the strongest in the county!
Even if one doesn't want to attract attention and chooses to conceal their strengths, having the ability to hide one's weaknesses is a different matter from not having the ability at all.
With these thoughts in mind, Ren Qingshan transformed the earth's energy one after another.
Qi and blood surged within the body, rapidly increasing.
The minor injuries and fatigue from the intense competition over the past few days quickly dissipated.
Stimulated by the increase in Qi and blood, the true Qi stirs and becomes restless, as if it has taken a tonic.
The key to breaking through to the Jade Marrow Realm was fully explained by Fang Yanping when he taught the basic True Qi method: Qi circulates throughout the body, becoming full and overflowing, entering the Ni Palace in the upper part, the Dantian in the middle part, and the Yongquan point in the lower part, forming a Qi channel that runs through the central nervous system. Then, the True Qi continues to expand, penetrating the skin and entering the bone marrow.
From then on, a layer of true qi defense could be generated on the skin's surface at will.
The true energy hidden deep within the bone marrow is like unlocking the body's secrets, greatly enhancing the six senses, making one's eyes like an eagle, nose like a dog, and ears like a bat... It also has many wonderful uses in battle.
Furthermore, by circulating internal energy, even when deeply submerged underwater, one can hold their breath for at least two hours.
This is the power of chalcedony!
……
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